My aunt lives in Ohio and needs a very low maintenance, 4x4, clutchless utility quad. She wont be hauling more than 500 lbs, so i dont think she would need anything bigger than 400cc. I have been doing my homework on this, and have found 9 quads in the category, but I would like some help. My dad has a rancher, and we love it, but it migth not be the best for her. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

btw, I was wondering if the prices were dropping below msrp. All of the quads in this category are at least 5k msrp.

Quads Im considering:
Arctic cat 300 4x4
Bombbardier Outlander 330 HO
Honda Rancher 4x4 ES
Kawasaki Prarie 360 4x4
Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4
Polaris Magnum 330 4x4
Suzuki Eiger 400 Auto 4x4
Yamaha Big Bear 4x4
Yamaha Kodiak 400 auto 4x4

Thanks again guys and gals.

 

Arctic cat 300 4x4
Bombbardier Outlander 330 HO
Honda Rancher 4x4 ES
Kawasaki Prarie 360 4x4
Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4
Polaris Magnum 330 4x4
Suzuki Eiger 400 Auto 4x4
Yamaha Big Bear 4x4
Yamaha Kodiak 400 auto 4x4

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I'm looking at your list and thinking, "There's not a dog in the bunch". Depending on how she intends to use it, any of those could work for her.

OK, The Kodiak is better than the Big Bear and the P360 is better than the Bayou 300. The mags will consider trail riding and work ability and would rate the Eiger #1 followed by either the Outlander or the Rancher (possibly Kodiak). The AC will lean more towards utility as will the Bayou and the P360. I've got more experience with the Eiger than the others here and can say that one of it's advantages is a very light steering feel - so light that you don't think your riding a 575 pound quad.

If it were my choice, I would eliminate the Bayou, Big Bear and Magnum only because they are older designs. Any of the others will do just fine. You should be able to deal at least a few hundred on any of these - you just might have to check more than one dealer. I've found that dealers further out from populated areas will deal more. It seems that "city dealers" like to treat quads like cars and try to charge for delivery, set-up and filing fees.

Jaybee

 

I owned a rancher 4x4es and was very pleased with it.It is lightweight ,easy to handle, easy on fuel and extremely reliable.I sold it to a buddy for his wife and she just loves it.If the rubicon had not been built I would still be riding it.If you don't need one for a little while, the new rancher400at will be available later in the year.It will have a fully automatic hydrostatic transmission(no belts) and can be switched to two wheel drive if desired.

 

Yea, I would say the rancher 4x4ES. I’ve got one. As a second opinion they are easy to handle. And they are easy on fuel. And reliable, very!! Its low maintenance, the ES shouldn’t give you a problem. I've read about all the problems people have with it but i have not known anybody with one who has had a complaint about it. If she’s pulling something on a trailer there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

If the Rancher 350 might not be best for your Aunt. My choice would be between the Eiger 400 and the Kodiak 400. (maybe the new Rancher 400?) Between these two I'd probably lean toward the Eigdiak. I was going to say the Eiger but I'm not sure what the reduced price of the Kodiak 400 is since the 450 came out. It would be a toss up without completely looking into both machines and seeing what dealers would give the better price. I would also consider the Rancher 400 if Honda would at least give us a price on the thing. Never pay MSRP on anything!

 

One thing I am concerned about is the maintenance on the belt drive trannies. She lives at least 30 miles from the nearest dealer of any kind of quad. Has anyone had belt problems, and how often do they need to be adjusted. My stepdads polaris sp500 is always breaking down, belt, 4wd, and the like. And he never rides the darn thing!

 

Maint and dependability wise I would go with the Rancher. Does the 400 Kodiak still have low range?

 

md 56...i'd take the 450 kodiak over the 400 it has low range,digital gauges,and a locker or the bomber in a 400 and honda is coming out with a new 400 class atv also...for the $ a eiger is hard to beat too.lol

 

I would pick the Rancher but I would choose the shift model over the ES.

Chet[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

GO WITH EIGER!!!